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Bill > S1041
NJ S1041
NJ S1041Allows aggregation of value of stolen property across multiple criminal episodes or transactions within two-year period.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill amends the provisions found in several of the theft statutes concerning the aggregation of the value of stolen property. Current law allows the value of stolen property to be aggregated so that a higher degree of crime can be charged if the property being aggregated was stolen pursuant to one scheme or course of conduct. The bill clarifies that "one scheme or course of conduct" can be carried out across multiple criminal episodes or transactions, against the same or several victims, or across a single county or multiple counties. Under the bill, evidence that multiple episodes or transactions constitute one scheme or course of conduct may include, but is not limited to, evidence that the acts involve the same defendant or defendants, are substantially similar in nature, and occur within a two-year period. Under the consolidated theft statute, N.J.S.A.2C:20-2, theft is a crime of the second degree if the amount involved is $75,000 or more. Theft is a crime of the third degree if the amount is more than $500 but less than $75,000. Theft is a crime of the fourth degree if the amount is between $200 and $500. Theft is a disorderly persons offense if the amount is less than $200. These same monetary amounts also apply when grading the level of offense for receiving stolen property, fencing stolen property, and shoplifting. Concerning motor vehicle theft and receiving stolen motor vehicles, these are crimes of the second degree if the value of the vehicle is $75,000 or more; otherwise they are crimes of the third degree. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to ten years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
AI Summary
This bill amends New Jersey law to allow prosecutors to combine the value of stolen property from multiple separate incidents into a single charge, provided these incidents occurred within a two-year period and can be shown to be part of "one scheme or course of conduct." This means that even if individual thefts are minor, their combined value could lead to a more serious felony charge, with examples of evidence for such a scheme including similar acts by the same defendant(s) within that two-year timeframe. The bill specifically updates statutes related to general theft, receiving stolen property, fencing stolen property, motor vehicle theft, receiving stolen motor vehicles, and shoplifting, clarifying that these aggregated values can be used to determine the degree of the crime, which in turn affects the potential penalties, ranging from fines and imprisonment for lesser offenses to significant prison sentences and fines for more serious crimes.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S1041 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1500/1041_I1.HTM |
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